(Jamaica Gleaner) The Press Association of Jamaica is raising concerns about statements about the press made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness recently at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) constituency conference in West Kingston.
Holness questioned the coverage provided by sections of the media and directed supporters to follow him on his social media pages to get the news.
In a statement, the PAJ expressed the view that Holness, speaking from a political party platform, sought to undermine the media as a whole.
The association acknowledged that Holness, like any other citizen, is free to criticise the media, but took issue with his utterances.
“…not all the things that are presented to you are facts or are true and you have other alternatives besides what is presented to you as news. You can go on social media, you can go on my page, Andrew Holness JM, all my social media pages, the party pages, you have so much now, news opportunity, to get informed, you don’t have to rely on one particular media for information or commentary or opinion,”
Holness reportedly stated in part.
The PAJ is contending that, by conflating his comments about the media not needing to report the truth with opinion journalism, Holness is sending a message that the media are not to be trusted.
The association is urging Holness to refrain from using the power of his platform to erode trust in an important democratic institution.
